Kilmarnock boss Stuart Kettlewell has made eight changes to his side as they host League 2 champions East Fife in a game the Premiership side need to win to ensure they top Group H.

Kettlewell says it was always the plan to give his squad chances during the League Cup rather than it being a result of any disappointment at the midweek draw away to Kelty Hearts.

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There's a new, but not unfamiliar, face on Livingston's bench this afternoon.

David Martindale's side have signed 21-year-old midfielder Aidan Denholm on a three-year deal from Hearts.

Denholm spent the start of last season on loan to Ross County, but his stay in Dingwall was cut short due to injury.

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Three teams start the day with a chance of finishing top of Group H, but leaders Kilmarnock are favourites considering Stuart Kettlewell's Premiership side host third-tier opposition.

However, League 2 champions East Fife sit just a point behind in second ahead of top-tier returnees Livingston, with both needing a win to have a chance of either finishing top or as one of the best runners-up.

Kelty Hearts could yet finish second but would fall short of a best runners-up spot even if they win away to Livi.

• Kilmarnock v East Fife
• Livingston v Kelty Hearts

With top-tier Motherwell already through as group winners, Championship side Greenock Morton and fourth-tier Clyde face up in a game both must win if they are to have a chance of finishing as one of the best runners-up.

Clyde head down the Clyde coast technically unbeaten apart from their bonus-point shoot-out after drawing with Well.

• Greenock Morton v Clyde
• Stenhousemuir v Peterhead

Relegated St Johnstone have lived up to their billing as favourites in the second group without a Premiership side and only need a point against League 2 visitors Elgin City to secure top spot.

Championship rivals Raith Rovers are already eliminated as they host third-tier Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who are three points behind Saints and need a win to have a chance of either winning the group or finishing as one of the best runners-up.

• Raith Rovers v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
• St Johnstone v Elgin City

Hearts have already clinched top spot in Group E after four straight wins under new head coach Derek McInnes.

Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic are second and the Championship side need a win over fourth-tier visitors Stirling Albion to finish on nine points and an outside chance of being one of the best runners-up.

• Dunfermline Athletic v Stirling Albion
• Hamilton Academical v Dumbarton

There's little to play for other than pride at Station Park, with the decisive game in Group D coming tomorrow as St Mirren host leaders Ayr United.

Arbroath are not officially eliminated, but even a draw, which would take them above St Mirren, would only take them to eight points - not enough to be one of the three best runners-up.

• Forfar Athletic v Arbroath

Premiership side Dundee have failed to live up to their billing as group favourites, with new head coach Steven Pressley's side already eliminated as they entertain local rivals Montrose.

So qualification is a straight fight between second-tier Airdrieonians and League 2 visitors Alloa Athletic, with the possibility that both could yet go through to the last 16.

• Airdrieonians v Alloa Athletic
• Dundee v Montrose

This, one of two groups without a Premiership side, was always likely to come down to this - a showdown between relegated Ross County and Championship rivals Partick Thistle.

Thistle are two points better off, but the Dingwall side will hope to make home advantage count - especially as anything less than a win is likely to mean elimination given other teams are better placed to fill one of three available places in the last 16 for group runners-up.

• Ross County v Partick Thistle
• Stranraer v Queen of the South

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Championship winners Falkirk are favourites to stay top given they have a point advantage over Cove Rangers going into a home game against fourth-tier visitors.

Spartans are behind Cove on goal difference but would have to spring a major surprise to have a chance of finishing second.

Meanwhile, third-tier Cove have a difficult game away to Queen's Park, albeit the Championship side are already eliminated.

• Falkirk v Spartans
• Queen's Park v Cove Rangers

Neto Borges has given Middlesbrough an early lead in their friendly against Rangers at Ibrox.

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There are three spaces available for the best runners-up.

Alloa Athletic are the best-placed side sitting second in their section at present with nine points, with Ross County and St Mirren behind on seven, the latter being ahead of Cove Rangers on goal difference.

However, all that is likely to change as all of those could still win their group and all but County can be caught by teams below.

Remember that Scotland's five teams involved in European qualification have received byes to the last 16, the draw for which is tomorrow after St Mirren host Ayr United in the final group game.

It means Rangers prepare for their Champions League qualifying second leg against Panathinaikos by hosting Middlesbrough in a friendly at Ibrox this afternoon.

League Cup holders Celtic continue their preparations in the Como Cup third/fourth play-off against Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli this evening, while Hearts, who have already qualified from their League Cup group, entertain Sunderland in Craig Gordon's testimonial.

Liam McLeod is your host on Sportsound's coverage of today's League Cup games, with former Scotland striker Billy Dodds among the pundits giving expert analysis.

It's just started on BBC Radio Scotland and you can listen by pressing the button at the top of this page.

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We've reached the climax of the Premier Sports Cup group stage and there's still plenty to play for.

Only Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell have secured qualification to the last 16 so far from the eight groups.

Stay with us for the build-up, goal and action updates, plus post-match reaction from around the grounds on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound and here online.

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